On Monday, December 1, the 15th Annual Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square will kick off the holiday season on the Upper West Side.

Legendary folk artist Arlo Guthrie and his family will be joined at the Upper West Side Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony by Tony Award®-winner Billy Porter, star of the hit Broadway show Kinky Boots who will serve as the evening's emcee. The Tree Lighting Ceremony will also feature a performance from the Tony Award®-winning musical Kinky Boots. And, in Winter's Eve tradition, WABC-TV's Sade Baderinwa, will be on stage to lead the tree-lighting countdown, broadcast live on Channel 7.

The event's festivities continue all evening from Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle up Broadway to 68th Street with more live music and family fun. Get down with the Cafe Wha? House Band at the Winter's Eve TD Bank Dance Party on Broadway and 61st Street. Bring the little ones to bop along with The Suzi Shelton Band at Kid's Central at the American Bible Society, 1865 Broadway at 61st Street. Golem will keep the Winter's Eve Main Stage at Dante Park rocking with a brand of Klezmer that pushes tradition into the 21st century. To see all of our dynamic Winter's Eve talent click here.

Of course, over 30 of Lincoln Square's premier restaurants are back offering outdoor food tastings at nominal cost ($1-$4) under tents at three outdoor locations: in front of Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle, along Broadway between 62nd and 64th Streets and at Richard Tucker Park between 65th and 66th Streets.

A huge thanks goes to the many generous Winter's Eve sponsors who make the entire event possible. To see all the Winter's Eve performers and participants visit the new Winter's Eve website winterseve.nyc and start planning your evening at New York's Largest Holiday Festival.

25 MPH Speed Limit Starts Friday, November 7

Starting on Friday, November 7, the default speed limit in New York City will be reduced to 25 mph unless otherwise posted. The speed limits on NYC's highways will remain the same. The new speed limit will be enforced by the NYPD and with speed enforcement cameras.

This change is designed to make the streets of New York City safer for everyone. According to the New York City Department of Transportation, the faster a vehicle is traveling, the more time a driver needs to stop when something unexpected happens - meaning collisions are more likely.

The Lincoln Square BID's ten Broadway Malls and planters from 60th - 70th Street have been transformed for the season. In late October, garden designer, Ronda Brands, and landscaping company, A. Bulfamante Landscaping, made their way up Broadway installing our fall display. Now, every urn in the Broadway Malls within the district has a beautiful assortment of season-appropriate foliage, from a variety of kale and cabbage to English Ivy and cyclamen. The 50 planters throughout the Broadway Malls and two parks are also freshly transitioned with many shades of green and hints of white and pink to mirror the colors of the urns. In a few weeks our spring bulbs will go into the ground.

Come mid-November, the Broadway Malls will be decorated with picture-perfect holiday lighting for this year's Winter's Eve celebration thanks to Con Edison and Gracious Home.

Take a look at some of our latest photos of Lincoln Square in the fall.

Michelin Travel & Lifestyle has released its 2015 selections for its Michelin Star NYC Restaurant Guide, and a number of Lincoln Square eateries have dazzled critics and made the list.

Jean-Georges, the jewel of Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten located at 1 Central Park West inside the Trump International Hotel and Tower, combines American, French and Asian styles to craft exquisite dishes. The menu changes with the seasonal offerings of the local farmer's market. The space offers an elegant and chic dining experience enhanced by attractive décor and floor to ceiling windows. Jean-Georges received three stars.

Lincoln Ristorante, located on Lincoln Center's plaza with its entrance on 65th Street, presents a menu reflecting meals from an authentic Italian kitchen, with comforting and refreshing cuisine. The restaurant's kitchen, headed by Chef Jonathan Benno, is open overlooking the dining area, while the restaurant's glass walls allow a beautiful panoramic view of the plaza and surrounding Lincoln Center sights. Lincoln Ristorante received one star from Michelin.

Masa, located on the 4th Floor of Time Warner Center, offers a refined, Japanese dining experience, with a menu full of superior sushi and sashimi choices. Chef Masayoshi Takayama maintains that the food and the environment of his restaurant should both be fulfilling to the senses, while he crafts his cuisine with simple and consistent style. Masa received three stars.

Also on the list, located on the 4th Floor of Time Warner Center, Per Se, headed by Chef Thomas Keller, offers American and French dishes for its guests and seats them in a luxurious dining room overlooking Central Park. The experience of this restaurant is both intimate and understated, and additionally, Per Se offers a private room, lounge, bar and wine cellar for guests to enjoy. Per Se received three stars.

Andanada, located at 141 West 69th Street with a kitchen headed by Chef Manuel Berganza, has a menu that pays homage to unique Spanish dishes, and a dining experience reflecting an authentic Spanish bullfighting atmosphere. At Andanada, guests can enjoy modern Spanish flavors and a beautiful mural depicting a marvelous bullfighting scene, all of which reflects the spirit of Spain's most famed tradition. New to the list this year, Andanada received one star from Michelin.

Picholine is another new addition to the 2015 list. Situated at 35 West 64th Street, Chef-Owner, Terrance Brennan's menu features the highest quality seasonal ingredients. His French-Mediterranean dishes are original interpretations of classic flavors from France, Spain and Italy. And, for those with a palate for fine cheeses, Picholine's renowned cheese cart displays more than 60 of the world's finest artisanal cheese. Picholine received one star from Michelin.

Telepan, located at 72 West 69th Street, celebrates seasonal, fresh, and local ingredients. The restaurant's design complements the elegant and refined quality of Chef Bill Telepan's cuisine. The location combines two townhouses and features four fireplaces, a state-of-the-art bar, wine room and cellar. Telepan received one star from Michelin.

Congratulations to these fine Lincoln Square eateries.

Events at Macaulay Honors College

The @Macaulay Author Seriesbrings writers of the best new fiction and nonfiction to the Upper West Side to read from, discuss, and sign copies of their work. The events are free and open to the public. Attendees can purchase copies of the books being discussed and even get them signed by the authors.

Tonight at 7:00pm the series presents Kathryn Harrison, author of the recently released biography Joan of Arc: A Life Transfigured. Harrison will be interviewed by writer Roxana Robinson. Then, on Wednesday, December 10, the series will feature two groundbreaking works of journalism and memoir, The Underground Girls of Kabul: In Search of a Hidden Resistance in Afghanistan, by Jenny Nordberg, and Without You There Is No Us: My Time With the Sons of North Korea's Elite, by Suki Kim.

The @Macaulay Author Series takes place at the Macaulay Honors College located on West 67th Street. For more information, please visit: macaulay.cuny.edu or call: 347-460-4292.

Also at Macaulay Honors College this month, Landmark West is presenting A History of NYC in 101 Objects - An Illustrated Talk with Sam Roberts on Tuesday, November 11. Click here for ticket information.

Visionary playwright Sarah Ruhl (The Clean House) returns to Lincoln Center Theater with The Oldest Boy, her newest play, directed by Rebecca Taichman. In this moving and delightful exploration of motherhood, love, and letting go, Tony Award® nominee Celia Keenan-Bolger (The Glass Menagerie) is an American mother whose young son is believed to be the reincarnation of a high Buddhist Lama. When Tibetan monks arrive unexpectedly, asking to take her child away for a life of spiritual training in India, she and her Tibetan husband must make a life-altering choice that will test their faith... and their hearts. The Oldest Boy is scheduled to run through Sunday, December 28. For tickets and more information click here.

Tickets are also on sale for Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I at Lincoln Center Theater starring five-time Tony Award® nominee Kelli O'Hara and Academy Award® nominee Ken Watanabe. Tony® winner Bartlett Sher (South Pacific) directs this classic tale of a British schoolteacher's unexpected relationship with the imperious King of Siam.The show doesn't open until Thursday, April 16, 2015, but it is already generating buzz.

Visit Lincoln Center Theater online at www.lct.org for details on all upcoming shows.

Thanksgiving Picks in Lincoln Square

Many of Lincoln Square's restaurants, shops and hotels have specials, sales and guides for Thanksgiving. We've highlighted some great picks below to assist you with everything from table settings to turkey trimmings.

Gracious Home's Fall Entertaining Essentials Collection is a curated collection of products to help you prepare for everything from refreshing your home for guests to serving them in style, plus everything else you'll need to get the job done.

If you're serving the holiday meal, Williams-Sonoma's Thanksgiving Guide has recipes, menu tips and more to help you revamp old favorites and introduce new traditions to the table.

Richard Tucker Park's Green Market will be closed on Thanksgiving, but will be open the day before on Wednesday, November 26. Shop around to discover community activities, cooking demonstrations, recipe exchanges and of course, delicious produce, dairy, meats and baked goods.

Are you coming from out of town for Thanksgiving? Book The Empire Hotel's Falling Leaves Package and you'll receive an Empire Hotel picnic blanket, carrying bag, Frisbee, water bottles and maps of the City and Central Park, perfect items for exploring Lincoln Square and the beautiful fall foliage this Thanksgiving season.

If you're eager to get into the holiday spirit walk over to The Shops at Columbus Circle in Time Warner Center to see "Holiday Under the Stars". This gorgeous display features twelve 14-foot stars that hang from the ceiling of the 150-foot Great Room and change color to choreographed festive tunes.

And if you'll be in town, don't forget to attend Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square - New York's largest holiday festival - taking place from 5:30PM - 9:00PM on the Monday after Thanksgiving (December 1). Visit www.winterseve.nyc to learn more!

Chamber Music Society: Meet The Music!

The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center's Meet the Music! is a three-concert series designed for kids ages 6 and up and is fun for the whole family. The 2014-2015 series begins on Sunday, November 9 at 2:00pm with The Magical World of Maurice Ravel.

The concert follows a young pianist who is struggling to play a piece by Ravel, and has a dream in which the composer himself appears and explains the musical mysteries of his magical-sounding music. Will the young pianist play better upon awakening? The audience finds out what happens and learns the secrets of Ravel's entrancing music.

The concert takes place atAlice Tully Hall and tickets begin at $10. To purchase tickets or learn more about the entire Meet the Music! series, visit chambermusicsociety.org.

Holiday Favorite "The Nutcracker" Returns

Starting Friday, November 28, the entire Company of the New York City Balletwill be immersed in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker as it returns to Lincoln Center. Children of all ages from New York City and the nation fill the David H. Koch Theater to be captivated by the lure of Tschaikovsky's music, Balanchine's choreography, Karinska's sumptuous costumes, and Rouben Ter-Arutunian's magical sets.

The performances feature all 90 dancers, 62 musicians, 32 stagehands and two casts of 50 young students from the School of American Ballet.

What's more, Lincoln Ristorante is offering four special lunches before matineeperformances. On December 10, 17, 24, and 31, Lincoln will serve an exclusive 2-course Nutcracker Lunch complete with a hand-crafted milk chocolate Nutcracker and orchestra tickets to the show for every guest. Click here to book your tickets and reserve a table at Lincoln.

Whether it's a first-time experience or an annual treat, don't miss the hottest holiday ticket in town. The Nutcracker runs throughout December with its final performance of the season on Saturday, January 3. Visit nycballet.com for more information and for tickets.

Family Concert: Who is Tito Puente?

Jazz at Lincoln Center continues its Jazz in the Americas motif as the Jazz for Young People® series honors master musician, composer, arranger, and "King of the Timbales" Tito Puente on Saturday, November 22.

The concert, specifically aimed at school-age children and their families, is hosted by Bassist Carlos Henriquez and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JALC) with Wynton Marsalis and will explore the extensive range of Puente's legacy. From big band to bossa nova, Puente, a five-time GRAMMY® Award winner and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, covered an extensive range of music over the course of his fifty year career. The hour-long, interactive concert sparks curiosity and imagination through vivid conversation and lively performances that will have your entire family dancing in their seats.

This special concert event for families takes place on Saturday, November 22 at 1:00pm & 3:00pm at Rose Theater in Jazz at Lincoln Center's home, Frederick P. Rose Hall, located at Broadway at 60th Street, 5th Floor. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased on jazz.org, CenterCharge at 212-721-6500, or the Jazz at Lincoln Center Box Office. Pre-concert activities, including visual arts and music workshops, are free for ticket holders and begin at 12:15pm and 2:15pm respectively. The concert will also stream live in high-definition audio and video for free to a global audience via wyntonmarsalis.org/live.

Small Business Saturday: November 29

This year Small Business Saturday takes place on November 29. Small Business Saturday is a day to celebrate the local businesses that help make a neighborhood great - and anyone can join in.

Founded in 2010 by American Express, Small Business Saturday is aimed at helping small businesses get more customers. Falling directly between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, traditionally two of the busiest shopping days of the year, the day encourages people to shop at small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

If you are a small business owner, click here for tips on how you can promote your business. Or, if you are customer who supports small businesses, click here to read more about Small Business Saturday.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market

Winter's Eve kicks off the holiday season in Lincoln Square on Monday, December 1. The following day, another neighborhood favorite, The Columbus Circle Holiday Market, opens.

Located at 59th Street and Central Park West, near the southwest entrance of Central Park, the market is the perfect place to enjoy a bite, shop for holiday gifts from artisans and designers, and soak in the splendor of winter in New York City.

Come to shop for:

Handmade wooden puzzles

Artisan chocolates and truffles

Home accessories from local makers

Jewelry from up-and-coming designers

Clothing and accessories for men, women and children

When you need a break, grab a cup of cider, hot chocolate or a delicious meal from one of the many food vendors. With an array of cuisine choices, from Turkish to Mexican, from comfort food to the more refined, there's truly something for everyone! Visit Urbanspaceny.com to learn more.